Pierz eyes overdue revenge

2005 is a year not forgotten in Pierz.

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Heading into the Class 2A state semifinals at the Metrodome, the Pioneers were ranked No. 1 with a 12-0 record and were the defending state champions. They had already destroyed the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles 48-0 in the final game of the regular season to win the Central Minnesota Conference.

But, in the temperature-controlled dome, the Eagles shocked the Pioneers 26-7, denying them a chance to defend their crown and ending Pierz's season one game too early.

Friday, the seventh-ranked Pioneers (10-1) will attempt to make 2009 a year the second-ranked Eagles (11-0) will want to forget as the conference rivals square off in the Class 2A state quarterfinals at Husky Stadium on the campus of St. Cloud State University.

Pierz offensive coordinator Dave Rocheleau spoke with quarterback Brandon Meyer during the Pioneers' 13-6 win over the Crosby-Ironton Rangers in the Section 6-2A final. Pierz faces Eden Valley-Watkins in the Class 2A state quarterfinals Friday. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake» Purchase reprints of this photo.

EV-W dominated Pierz 36-7 on Sept. 18 to hand the Pioneers their only loss and claim the early lead in the CMC. Since then Pierz has won eight straight, including last week's 13-7 upset of the top-seeded Crosby-Ironton Rangers.

"We'll watch film Monday night and tell the kids the last time we played them was a learning experience," said Pierz head coach Leo Pohlkamp. "We made too many mistakes with not getting our heads on the right side of blocks and tackles. Our offensive line has got to take control of the game. We need to keep moving the chains and block better.

"We'll look back at that game and learn from it. The kids need confidence right now. Yes, we're in the state tournament, but they need to know they can win this game."

It won't be an easy win. The Eagles have outscored opponents 43.0 to 6.9, including last week's 36-7 win over Yellow Medicine East for the Section 5-2A championship.

The key, Pohlkamp said, will be the blocking of Andy Kretschmar (TE), Dylan Peterson (T), Shane Solinger (G), Dillon Mieczorek (C), Joe Wimmer (G), Dylan Held (T) and Zach Kummet (TE) and the health of halfback John Omann.

Pierz vs. Eden Valley-Watkins

What: Class 2A state football quarterfinal

When: 5 p.m. Friday

Where: St. Cloud State University

Last game: EV-W defeated Pierz 36-7 Sept. 18

"Pierz runs the ball so well," said Eagles coach Ray Tri. "They always have good athletes. They play good defense and are well coached. With Pierz you have to play a good game to beat them and that's what we did the last time we met. We got some big plays and that was the difference."

Big plays were the difference Sept. 18. Ryan Tri scored on runs of 64 and 56 yards to give the Eagles a 14-0 edge after the first quarter.

Kevin Kramer scored on a 35-yard run and Tri scored again on runs of 63 and 2 for the final score.

EV-W outgained Pierz 407 to 271, leading to the Pioneers' only loss.

"You continue to do what you've been doing," said Tri. "I don't think we have any surprises that Pierz hasn't seen over the years."

Ryan Tri has rushed for 669 yards and 13 touchdowns on just 63 carries. He has 38 receptions for 713 yards and nine more scores.

Kramer also has nine touchdown receptions to go with 371 receiving yards on 22 catches. He's rushed for 446 yards and six scores on 48 carries.

Tyler Geislinger has thrown for 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions on 90-of-131 passing for 1,392 yards, but was only 2-of-3 for 36 yards against Pierz.

Ryan McCann is the Eagles' workhorse, rushing for 1,342 yards and 16 touchdowns on 180 carries.

"We can't give up the big plays like we did the last time we played them," said Pohlkamp. "We need to put the kids in the right defense. We thought we could survive in the defense we used, but we let them score too easy. We have to make them earn their points. Hopefully, we can do that. Defensively, we've come along way since then.

"We haven't had a lot of teams try to throw on us, which is why we were so concerned with C-I's passing game. We got to see that and that was good. EV-W didn't need to pass against us the last time."

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.